MOBILE, Ala. — Kris Richard won’t return because the New Orleans Saints‘ co-defensive coordinator, a supply confirmed to ESPN.
The Saints will probably be in search of a brand new defensive coordinator for the 2023 season after dropping Ryan Nielsen to the Atlanta Falcons final week.
The Saints weren’t allowed to dam interviews for the 2 assistants due to their distinctive co-coordinator standing, making Nielsen’s hiring by the Falcons a promotion as an alternative of a lateral transfer. The Carolina Panthers requested to interview Richard for his or her defensive coordinator place earlier within the month earlier than Frank Reich was employed as head coach, and the Miami Dolphins additionally requested to interview him.
Each assistants obtained promotions final February after the Saints elevated Dennis Allen from defensive coordinator to go coach. Nielsen was beforehand assistant head coach/defensive position in 2021, whereas Richard coached the defensive backs that season.
Nielsen nonetheless oversaw the defensive position and Richard was answerable for the secondary even with the promotion, however they didn’t name the defensive performs. Allen retained playcalling duties in his first season as head coach.
Meaning the Saints will seemingly even be in search of a brand new defensive position coach and new secondary coach along with a defensive coordinator in 2023.
If Allen have been to surrender playcalling this season, it could be the primary change at that spot since he took over when the Saints fired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan towards the tip of the 2015 season.
The Saints even have a gap at tight ends coach with longtime assistant Dan Roushar not returning. They may additionally lose Ronald Curry, their quarterbacks coach and passing-game coordinator. Curry, who’s a part of the Senior Bowl workers together with a number of different Saints assistants, interviewed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week for his or her vacant offensive-coordinator place.
The NFL Community was first to report the information on Richard.